Do you ever add things to a boxed product?

[RonB]

Zataran's Red, (or Black), Beans and Rice becomes a meal if you add 1/3 lb of tube sausage, (Jimmy Dean's Hot for me). First I brown and crumble the sausage in the pan I use to cook the Zataran's in. Then I cook the Zataran's according to the package directions without removing the sausage. Every once in a while, it really hit's the spot. BTW - using link sausage cut up will not yield the same results.*

Do you do anything similar?

*I made this and took it to work for a pot luck and someone asked for the recipe. I gave her the recipe and told her to make it the way I did because changing it would not give the same results. A few days later she complained that it did not turn out the same when she made it. I asked her what she did and the first thing she said was that she used link sausage and cut it up...

[Hulagn1971]

Absolutely. I cut up red/orange bell peppers and some onion and add it to Zatarain's all the time. I like your cooked and crumbled sausage addition. Will definitely have to try that.

[RonB]

And now ya got me thinkin' about adding peppers too.

[Panhead John]

Jimmy Deans Hot is the best! I’ve tried other brands and they just ain’t as good. And yeah, I do the same thing but it’s usually with their Dirty Rice. Zatarain’s Dirty Rice ain’t bad neither for coming out of a box.

[Dewesq55]

I like their jambalaya. I make it in a rice cooker with smoked sausage/andouille, shrimp and a can of Rotel hot tomatoes. It's muy bueno.

[58limited]

I routinely add a tablespoon of dried jalapenos to Knorr pasta and cheese products. Other than that I rarely do box dinners so not much doctoring.

[Panhead John]

Snob

[JCBBQ]

Trader Joe’s has a pretty good and ez orange chicken but I always add chili crisp, chopped peanuts and chopped green onions. Served over rice this is less sweet and feels more complete. It’s one of my favorite “cheater meals”.

[captainlee]

Normally we make our own spud salad but when purchased at the store the wife Doctors it up.

[Jerod Broussard]

I add heated and sliced hotdogs to mac and cheese, but it's more bowls than boxes these days.

[ssandy_561]

Heated up hot dogs in Bush’s baked beans is another quick lunch staple in my household.

[jlazar]

Ground beef in mac and cheese.

[Jfrosty27]

I love this. I use Bob Evans microwave M&C. Yum.

[ssandy_561]

I enjoy this redneck special. Make Rice-a-roni pilaf. When done, mix in a can of Progresso Broccoli Cheese soup and a can of shredded chicken.

[Hulagn1971]

This sounds great!

[Donw]

We all suffer from Hamburger Helper Syndrome. It was how we were raised.

[Panhead John]

I’ve been known to still buy a box every now and then.

[Hulagn1971]

Donw when my first wife and I got together right after graduating college, I worked at the prison and dealership on Saturdays I was off. She waited tables at night. We were on food stamps (when it was a paper booklet) and had to stretch every penny. Literally ate Hamburger helper 5 nights a week and I took any leftovers for lunch the next day. When the 1st of the month hit and we got a new book and a small WIC check I'd buy cheap sirloins from Food Lion and that would be our special treat.

[klflowers]

I had hamburger helper a few weeks ago for the first time in years. I used to add all kinds of stuff. Depended on how many beers I was having

[Ace]

This thread got me thinking about all the different boxed, bagged, canned or frozen meals that we eat. Whether it's some type of noodle meal, rice meal, soup or heat & serve from the freezer. I realized that I seem to add something to everything I cook.
It might be meat, peppers, onions, mushrooms, cheese or any number of different spices.
Nothing is safe once the package is opened...

[Michael_in_TX]

::gestures melodramatically to his hot sauce and pepper flake cabinet::

[Jerod Broussard]

Forgot I either add a boiled egg to my bagged Ramen noodles, or sliced smoked sausage, or soon to be fried SPAM.

[ssandy_561]

Mmmmmmmmmm SPAM!

[SheilaAnn]

The only thing from a box in this house is Annie’s Mac and cheese. Half and half, not milk; extra grated cheese (usually pepper jack); couple shakes of TDHH.

And there is always a couple jars of marinara on hand. I always add sautéed mushrooms that have been reduced with red wine.

[Hulagn1971]

I swear when I first read the jars of marinara I saw "jars of marijuana" 😆

[ssandy_561]

We love making our boxed Mac n Cheese with sour cream and a bit of the pasta water instead of milk.

[Dewesq55]

I use Rao's arrabiata sauce to make shrimp fra diavolo. Add good as it is, right from the jar, I slice and saute a few cloves of additional garlic and add big helping of crushed chili flakes to it before adding the shrimp.

[Jfrosty27]

Kraft blue box M&C. I add more butter, milk and CHEESES! 😊

And sometimes sliced hot dogs.

[mrichie1229]

I'll add cream sometimes if I really want to kick it up a notch.

[Draznnl]

We frequently add sausage, peppers and hot sauce to Zatarain’s.